Press Release: Consumer Federation 50 MPG Survey
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Survey Says: 65 Percent of Americans Want Government-Enforced 50 MPG Standards
May 19, 2010 By 24 Comments
What is the future of fuel? What's new? What's next? Since 2007, Gas 2 has covered a rapidly changing world coming to terms with its oil addiction.
50mpg is just the start! We want electric cars, and biodiesel, and plug-in hybrids, too. The Prius already meets this requirement, and it’s a medium sized car, that is not going all-out for efficiency.
Let’s go all-out for energy independence, and let’s keep our energy money in our own economy — and if we can do this, then we can save a huge portion of our military spending. Heck, this alone could get us out of our budget/debt conundrum…
Sincerely, Neil
50mpg is just the start! We want electric cars, and biodiesel, and plug-in hybrids, too. The Prius already meets this requirement, and it’s a medium sized car, that is not going all-out for efficiency.
Let’s go all-out for energy independence, and let’s keep our energy money in our own economy — and if we can do this, then we can save a huge portion of our military spending. Heck, this alone could get us out of our budget/debt conundrum…
Sincerely, Neil
’65% of survey respondents agreed that “the government should increase the fuel economy standard to an average of 50 miles per gallon by 2025,” ‘
…and then at least half of them got into their SUV loaded with 100 lbs of everyday crap in the truck (that they’ve forgotten is there, but gets hauled around with them everywhere), to drive to work leaving their home thermostat set to 76* (assuming it was winter).
Seriously, though, 50 mpg would be possible with hybrids and/or diesels, but people would have to give up their SUVs.
Tim,
You’re so right. Good news though, it appears that people are giving up their SUVs slowly. Plus, auto manufacturers are being forced to not build so many of them, and the ones they do build they’re now calling crossovers (glorified station wagons) that are getting reasonably good mileage.
Alternatively, people could keep their SUVs and subsidize the building of small cars that get 70+ mpg through higher SUV price tags… that way the average fuel economy could be 50 mpg
’65% of survey respondents agreed that “the government should increase the fuel economy standard to an average of 50 miles per gallon by 2025,” ‘
…and then at least half of them got into their SUV loaded with 100 lbs of everyday crap in the truck (that they’ve forgotten is there, but gets hauled around with them everywhere), to drive to work leaving their home thermostat set to 76* (assuming it was winter).
Seriously, though, 50 mpg would be possible with hybrids and/or diesels, but people would have to give up their SUVs.
Tim,
You’re so right. Good news though, it appears that people are giving up their SUVs slowly. Plus, auto manufacturers are being forced to not build so many of them, and the ones they do build they’re now calling crossovers (glorified station wagons) that are getting reasonably good mileage.
Alternatively, people could keep their SUVs and subsidize the building of small cars that get 70+ mpg through higher SUV price tags… that way the average fuel economy could be 50 mpg
People also want government to provide services without levying taxes on them. People may want 50 MPG, but I doubt they’re willing to pay for what it takes to get it.
People also want government to provide services without levying taxes on them. People may want 50 MPG, but I doubt they’re willing to pay for what it takes to get it.
Honestly, the fastest way to get Americans to demand 50 mpg vehicles is to raise the taxes on gasoline – then use the funds to develop mass transit.
Honestly, the fastest way to get Americans to demand 50 mpg vehicles is to raise the taxes on gasoline – then use the funds to develop mass transit.
Sorry Nick, but when the website of the organization is filled with only left wing propaganda on other matters, it is very difficult to buy their truthfulness in this matter. You need to find at least two others sources for this story.
Then I also want to see the questions ask in this survey.
The real problem with this increase in gas mileage will be maintaining safety and structural integrity. The goal could be met right now with the smallest Ford EcoBoost engine in a 1000 to 1200 pound highly aerodynamic car with very low overall gearing.
Sorry Nick, but when the website of the organization is filled with only left wing propaganda on other matters, it is very difficult to buy their truthfulness in this matter. You need to find at least two others sources for this story.
Then I also want to see the questions ask in this survey.
The real problem with this increase in gas mileage will be maintaining safety and structural integrity. The goal could be met right now with the smallest Ford EcoBoost engine in a 1000 to 1200 pound highly aerodynamic car with very low overall gearing.
This would involve either extremely high development costs or chasing after the same limited resources like lithium which would also skyrocket in price. People saying that others shouldn’t drive the car or their choice deserve to have their choices limited too by, for instance, living in Cuba or so. Somehow, they don’t seem so eager to make that choice. Cowardice runs deep.
This would involve either extremely high development costs or chasing after the same limited resources like lithium which would also skyrocket in price. People saying that others shouldn’t drive the car or their choice deserve to have their choices limited too by, for instance, living in Cuba or so. Somehow, they don’t seem so eager to make that choice. Cowardice runs deep.
Rafe – What the hell are you talking about? Cuba???
Rafe – What the hell are you talking about? Cuba???
Strange that 65% of Americans would call for higher fuel standards when nowhere near that many Americans drive hybrid vehicles or vehicles that do not run on fossil fuels. Once again Americans pass their responsibilities, as investors and consumers, on to the federal government. Let’s hope their ace-in-the-hole isn’t more ethanol.
Strange that 65% of Americans would call for higher fuel standards when nowhere near that many Americans drive hybrid vehicles or vehicles that do not run on fossil fuels. Once again Americans pass their responsibilities, as investors and consumers, on to the federal government. Let’s hope their ace-in-the-hole isn’t more ethanol.
I’m not buying a little deathtrap to drive next to 25-ton busses and 18-wheel trucks.
I’m keeping my debt-free 1995 Caprice with 5.7L LT1 engine and police package. It gets 12mpg in the city and 26 on the highway, can pull 5000 pounds, carry 7 bicycles on the outside racks and seats 5 very comfortably, all at once. Uncle Barry offered me $4500 toward a Hyundai Elantra death-trap during CFC Summer (or “new lamps for old”). He can go pleasure himself with Scotch-Brite while agitating the neighborhood. Or, I can put 1500 pounds of books in the car and move along driver-only. Yes, it’s a sedan not a station wagon. Made of USA parts in Texas by UAW Brothers. I’d upgrade the engine to the stop-start hybrid found in Tahoe, but I need 250hp and 300+ft/lbs of torque to move the car by whatever system.
Used cars in good condition are the “greenest” cars. since no new cars need to be made, full-time commuting job not required to make payments.
Oh yeah, it’s safe as heck, being pretty fast, low/wide (“stability control” not required), good visibility, enough weight empty, dual airbags, good top speed, huge crumple zones, and highly maintained. DEQ check confirms that exhaust is cleaner than Riverside California air on most days in summer.
Post-2002 Taxi-length Clown Victoria is the next-best thing, at about 3/5′s as good as the discontinued 9C1 B-Body.
Prius is a smallish/heavy luxury car. Toyota hybrid system saves gasoline with a massive up-front investment in toxic batteries. If there was an Echo “thrift,high-tech” model, it would get over 70mpg. Honda original Insight (which HMC could not have made money on!) got over 70 mpg at moderate highway speeds with minor hypermileing driving style.
My 1979 Corolla Sport (1200cc/4sp manual, rear-wheel-drive) got 47 mpg in the city, driven hard as only a 22 year old can. No high-tech involved here, just a 45 hp engine and an 1800 pound tiny car that could just about go 60mph if started on a long downhill freeway entrance ramp.
I use about 2 tanks of gas a month (about 45 gallons), and bicycle when possible. Why does no one have a problem with the Caprice driving 23 mph in a 25 zone, but going 22 on a bike is a huge imposition requiring honking and death threats? Oregon Revised Code: quote “…bicycle allowed full lane of traffic…”
Cheers.
I’m not buying a little deathtrap to drive next to 25-ton busses and 18-wheel trucks.
I’m keeping my debt-free 1995 Caprice with 5.7L LT1 engine and police package. It gets 12mpg in the city and 26 on the highway, can pull 5000 pounds, carry 7 bicycles on the outside racks and seats 5 very comfortably, all at once. Uncle Barry offered me $4500 toward a Hyundai Elantra death-trap during CFC Summer (or “new lamps for old”). He can go pleasure himself with Scotch-Brite while agitating the neighborhood. Or, I can put 1500 pounds of books in the car and move along driver-only. Yes, it’s a sedan not a station wagon. Made of USA parts in Texas by UAW Brothers. I’d upgrade the engine to the stop-start hybrid found in Tahoe, but I need 250hp and 300+ft/lbs of torque to move the car by whatever system.
Used cars in good condition are the “greenest” cars. since no new cars need to be made, full-time commuting job not required to make payments.
Oh yeah, it’s safe as heck, being pretty fast, low/wide (“stability control” not required), good visibility, enough weight empty, dual airbags, good top speed, huge crumple zones, and highly maintained. DEQ check confirms that exhaust is cleaner than Riverside California air on most days in summer.
Post-2002 Taxi-length Clown Victoria is the next-best thing, at about 3/5′s as good as the discontinued 9C1 B-Body.
Prius is a smallish/heavy luxury car. Toyota hybrid system saves gasoline with a massive up-front investment in toxic batteries. If there was an Echo “thrift,high-tech” model, it would get over 70mpg. Honda original Insight (which HMC could not have made money on!) got over 70 mpg at moderate highway speeds with minor hypermileing driving style.
My 1979 Corolla Sport (1200cc/4sp manual, rear-wheel-drive) got 47 mpg in the city, driven hard as only a 22 year old can. No high-tech involved here, just a 45 hp engine and an 1800 pound tiny car that could just about go 60mph if started on a long downhill freeway entrance ramp.
I use about 2 tanks of gas a month (about 45 gallons), and bicycle when possible. Why does no one have a problem with the Caprice driving 23 mph in a 25 zone, but going 22 on a bike is a huge imposition requiring honking and death threats? Oregon Revised Code: quote “…bicycle allowed full lane of traffic…”
Cheers.
It is very important that the country reduce its consumption of oil and I believe the only way (quick way) is to increase gas tax and ban all ICE only cars (new car).
It is very important that the country reduce its consumption of oil and I believe the only way (quick way) is to increase gas tax and ban all ICE only cars (new car).
# Niapa Says:
June 9th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
It is very important that the country reduce its consumption of oil and I believe the only way (quick way) is to increase gas tax and ban all ICE only cars (new car). -end quote-
Expect what has happened in California with pre-smog-controlled cars to happen with legal ICE-only cars: Value to owners and market value will go up significantly. A market akin to an underground economy will appear in response to .gov interference in the “real” value and “cost” of things. The great thing about liquid fueled vehicles is the concentration and immediacy of power delivery available. Chemical-to-electricity batteries have a very low comparable density and can be damaged by attempting to charge or discharge quickly.
The transition must be slow. Some jobs can only be done with ICE engines, while some can be done just fine with a 40 mile range in a 500 pound “car”. Let demand and economy take care of the problem…
The USA as a big (geographically and over-Federalized) country only exists because of automobiles. Without individual transport, we will be too much like Europe, but without the advantage of being Europeans or being geographically close.
Cheers.
# Niapa Says:
June 9th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
It is very important that the country reduce its consumption of oil and I believe the only way (quick way) is to increase gas tax and ban all ICE only cars (new car). -end quote-
Expect what has happened in California with pre-smog-controlled cars to happen with legal ICE-only cars: Value to owners and market value will go up significantly. A market akin to an underground economy will appear in response to .gov interference in the “real” value and “cost” of things. The great thing about liquid fueled vehicles is the concentration and immediacy of power delivery available. Chemical-to-electricity batteries have a very low comparable density and can be damaged by attempting to charge or discharge quickly.
The transition must be slow. Some jobs can only be done with ICE engines, while some can be done just fine with a 40 mile range in a 500 pound “car”. Let demand and economy take care of the problem…
The USA as a big (geographically and over-Federalized) country only exists because of automobiles. Without individual transport, we will be too much like Europe, but without the advantage of being Europeans or being geographically close.
Cheers.